Albertsons talks e-commerce at Digital Food & Beverage conference

During a busy and informative first day of sessions at the Digital Food & Beverage conference in Austin, Texas, grocery retailer Albertsons shared the spotlight with cutting-edge tech companies and innovative manufacturers.

“Omnichannel shoppers are more valuable than brick-and-mortar only,” said Kenji Gjovig, vice president e-commerce business at Albertsons, who emphasized the importance of supplier partnerships in his keynote address. To optimize the online experience for Albertsons shoppers, Gjovig and his team worked with suppliers on content enhancements for the chain’s digital offerings, “including upgraded, high-res imagery and more engaging text.” For instance, he pointed to a recent successful partnership with Tyson Meats to create a web page on the Albertsons for summer grilling that boosted sales.

“We allow manufacturers space on the site to tell their story and drive their — and our — business,” Gjovig (left) said.

The retailer’s Just for U loyalty program offers a seamless omnichannel experience for shoppers, as does its expanding home delivery and its use of Glympse technology allowing customers to see where their order is. (Albertsons also has an online delivery partnership with Instacart in some markets, but Glympse is not available for that service.)

Related:Albertsons gives CPG brands a digital lift

Albertsons is also piloting Glympse in select markets offering the retailer’s Drive Up & Go click-and-collect program. The opt-in service will notify customers when their order is ready and let them share their location so store associates can bring their orders to their car exactly when they arrive.

“Drive Up & Go is still new,” said Gjovig, “but growing fast.”

Drive Up & Go is currently available at more than 250 Albertsons Cos. stores, and the company said it plans to expand the grocery pickup service this year.

Gjovig also said that Albertsons is currently piloting a grocery delivery subscription service, which started in March.